Franklin Square/Elmont Herald 12-19-2024 by Richner Communications, Inc

HERALD Franklin square/elmont

Renee DeLorenzo/Herald

Mario and Courtney Lopez talked about their experience at the great american Family Christmas Festival on dec. 14.

Mario and Courtney Lopez greet fans at holiday festival

By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzo@liherald.com

The Park at UBS Arena kicked off its first Great American Family Christmas Festival on Nov. 22 in collaboration with Great American Media.

The event, which resumes again on Friday and continues through Dec. 22, featured ice-skating, photos with Santa, musical performances, games, food trucks, hot chocolate and other treats, a meet-and-greet with rescue animals from the North Shore Animal League, and an appearance by celebrity guests Mario and Courtney Lopez.

After releasing their first Christmas movie, “Once Upon a Christmas Wish,” in

which they starred, on Dec. 7, Mario said that the festival was a great way to promote the film. “What better way to celebrate than to launch with my actual family?” he said. Mario, 51, and Courtney, 42, co-hosted the event, where they met some of their fans. “The goal is to give people a Christmas experience that they wouldn’t normally get anywhere else,” Bill Abbott, president and CEO of Great American Media, said.

According to Abbott, tens of thousands of tickets had been sold for the festival, and it almost reached capacity on its opening weekend.

The Lopezes said they loved interacting with fans. “I think it’s very clever and cool

Continued on page 9

Locals want red light fees reimbursed

By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzoliherald.com

The

Nassau County’s red light camera ticket fees were determined to be illegal by the New York State appellate division court on Nov. 27. Now, Elmont residents are demanding to have their money returned, along with transparency as to where the fees collected from the red-light camera program have been spent since it began over a decade ago.

Emmanuelle Jeanlouis, an Elmont resident who has received two red light tickets since 2022, said she paid $150 per ticket.

Jeanlouis said. “Why does the county think this makes sense, and why do we have to be the ones going through this financial burden? $150 is a lot of money.”

little bit that we get in our paychecks as salary, especially when we’re not even getting proper raises, for the county to just go out and take it, it makes no sense.

In Nassau County, red light camera tickets are $50. But, with the $100 “driver responsibility” and “public safety” fees attached, the total ticket amount is $150.

EMMaNuEllE

JEaNlouis

Elmont resident

“It’s like a bogus scam,”

Carol Garrick, also of Elmont, said the fees are exorbitant. “What kind of fee is two times as much as the infraction itself?” she asked. County Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said during a Dec. 9 news conference that it was time for the county to reimburse drivers. “The whole point of the red-light camera system was for safety,” DeRiggiWhitton said. “This was not supposed to be a revenue generating option.”

Jeanlouis said not only does she want reimbursement, she wants to know where the money the county collected since the beginning of the program has Continued on page 11

Mollish re-elected as fire commissioner

Fire Commissioner Chris Mollish of the Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department was re-elected on Dec. 10 to serve another five years after running unopposed.

“We’ve made great strides and improvements,” Mollish said. “All of the goals I set for my last term were achieved with the help of my fellow fire commissioners and chiefs. My hope for the future is to keep upgrading the department.”

Mollish, who has been a member of the department for 43 years, first ran for fire commissioner in 2019. Since then, he said, he’s helped make many improvements to the fire department.

With Mollish as a commissioner, the department received a new on-premise training department and a new 24/7medic program. He also spearheaded a program to improve the department’s retention of volunteers and fire chiefs.

“We were running out of ambulance drivers because these guys were working two or three jobs just to pay their bills,” he said. “We changed that.”

Mollish said his plans for his upcoming term are to complete an extension on the firehouse with additional bays for their medics, purchase a new ambulance with a $450,000 grant they received and purchase a new fire police vehicle. He said the department has already

ordered a new hook and ladder truck that will be delivered in summer 2026.

“Back when I was 18 years old, I wanted to become a fireman to help the community,” Mollish said. “Now that I’m semi-retired, I’m there for the guys. I do

feel like I’m helping the community.”

His wife, Karen, is part of the department’s ladies’ auxiliary. “We always felt that the fire department was our family,” she said. “I am very proud of him.”

Mollish, who has lived in Franklin

Square his entire life, said he remains involved in the community through his role in the fire department.

“I love this community,” he said. “It’s a tight knit community, and it’s holding strong.”

–Renee DeLorenzo

Courtesy Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department

The Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department fire truck.

Courtesy Danielle Siegel-Sailor Fire Commissioner Chris Mollish of the Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department.

Revitalizing a tree lighting tradition

By RENEE DELORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com

A decade ago, Garden City South Community League attendance was dwindling. After the death of their president, Pat Friedman, in 2018, the league began preparing for new leadership. That’s when Marge Kelly stepped into the presidency. The league asked to plant a tree at the front of the park, which became the centerpiece for revitalizing their tree lighting tradition.

Six years later, the tradition remains. The league held their annual Christmas tree lighting at Garden City South Park on Dec. 7. Festivities began at 6 p.m. and featured several performances, a DJ, a food drive run by VFW Post 2718, hot drinks and food, and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause.

According to Kelly, a lot of work goes into a large event like this. “Everything you see is done by seven people,” she said.

The league starts planning as early as April. While Kelly’s team only consists of a handful of league members, she does get help from the community. Local businesses donate food for the event, Kelly said, and there are park employees who help them decorate.

The Garden City South Community League was the first civic association on Long Island, and they just celebrated their 95th anniversary this year. According to Kelly, Pat Friedman, who was president of the league for 40 years, led the fight to preserve Garden City South Park during her tenure.

“They originally wanted to make this park a strip mall,” Kelly said. “But Pat fought to make this a community park. And she won.”

However, Friedman died in 2018. By that point, Kelly said, community meeting attendance was

declining. That’s when Kelly decided to revitalize the tree lighting, and the league asked to have a tree planted in the front of the park.

This is the tree they decorate each year and light up for the community.

Since then, the event expanded and became a collaborative effort in the community. With dance performances from the Tip Tap Toe Dance Studio, multiple songs performed by Apollo theater winner Sogna Santana, a VFW Post 2718 food drive, and appearances by the Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department, Toys for Tots, and Girl Scouts Troop 1045, the tree lighting has become an event made possible by local neighbors and friends.

Christine Hillaris, president of auxiliary to VFW Post 2718, said the community league has always supported their veterans. She said the league’s ability to draw in many visitors from all over the town helps their cause significantly.

“I like to see the big turnout in the community,” she said. “If it wasn’t for the community, none of these nonprofit organizations would be able to survive. The community league makes our veterans feel proud.”

While Kelly has done a lot of work restoring this community tradition, she said she would be stepping down from the community league in February. That makes this year’s tree lighting her last as president of the community league.

“It’s bittersweet,” Kelly said. “But I’m a little exhausted from it.”

Luckily, she said, the league will be in good hands after she steps down. Angela Romano will be taking over as president in early 2025.

“It’ll be up and going,” she said. “I expect it to be here for another 95 years!”

Santa greets children and guests at the tree lighting.

The Garden City South Community League Christmas tree lit up at the Garden City South Park on Dec. 7.

Alice Moreno/Herald photos

Marge Kelly, president of Garden City South Community League.

Mrs. Clause greets children and guests at the tree lighting.

Mark Small found guilty of murder

Elmont man sentenced to 25 years to life for shooting death of girlfriend

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

A former Rockville Centre restaurateur was convicted of murder, more than two years after he allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend, Marivel Estevez, inside her penthouse apartment in Mineola.

Mark Small, 57, of Elmont, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on Dec. 12, after a jury found him guilty of second degree murder and weapons charges, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.

“Mark Small shot and killed his girlfriend inside her own apartment, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this callous and senseless act of violence,” DA Donnelly said. “Rather than letting her leave New York to start a new job in a new state, this defendant decided that if he couldn’t have her, no one could. We hope that this defendant’s sentencing brings a measure of closure to all those who are affected by Marivel’s tragic loss.”

subsequently arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department on Aug. 2. He was discharged from the hospital the next day, when he was arraigned at the First District Court in Hempstead.

Estevez, who was 39 at the time, worked in management at the Allure Mineola apartment complex on Old Country Road.

Nassau County police arrested Small in August 2022, after authorities say he was struck by a car along the Long Island Expressway.

He was allegedly fleeing in the victim’s car with a small dog in tow, when he stopped along the highway. Small is believed to have been searching for the victim’s dog, Tuffy, after it escaped.

Small was transported to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset after being struck by a car, where he was treated with multiple fractures. He was

Emerson, who wrote a great deal about overcoming fear, said: “Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment and the more experiments the better. What if they are a little coarse and you may get your coat soiled and torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice? Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble.”

Author Jeffers’ book explains that until you fully understand that you, and no one else, create what goes on in your head, you will never be in control of your life. When you blame any outside force for any of your experiences of life, you are literally giving away your power thus creating pain, paralysis and depression. Always ask yourself what am I doing or not doing that is causing this to happen to me. You don’t have to condone the behavior of others, but simply not to allow it to be the source of your upset. Jeffers teaches how to overcome your biggest enemy — your “chatterbox” and replace it with a loving

Investigators said Small shot Estevez once in the arm and once in the head with a handgun, placing the time of death sometime between the evening hours of July 28 and the early morning hours of July 29.

Friends and family of the victim described the relationship as “tumultuous,” police said, and the incident is believed to be the result of domestic dispute.

Homicide investigators said Estevez confided in friends that she had plans of leaving Small and returning to Tampa, Florida.

The Nassau County Police Department conducted a wellness check at her apartment on July 30, after they were contacted by an employee of the luxury apartment complex, where she worked, who notified them that she had not showed up that day.

Estevez was discovered on her bed with apparent gunshot wounds, and was pronounced dead by medical examiners.

Small was the owner and operator of Grotto, a Caribbean-themed restaurant located on Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre that was on the verge of closing.

Estevez was the youngest of six children, all raised in Rockville Centre. She also worked part-time at her

internal friend. “It is reported that over 90% of what we worry of never happens,” says Jeffers. We create our own reality.

The author moves on to decision-making and the fear of making the wrong decision. Here, she explains how there are no “wrong” decisions. Your writer has often advised clients that it is better to make the “wrong” decision than none at all. You learn from mistakes -- you learn nothing from inaction. Learn and correct or, as Emerson said, “The voyage of the best ship is a zigzag line of a hundred tacks.”

Jeffers writes that there is a lightness to positive people. They have learned not to take themselves so seriously and they are a joy to be around -- they are those who have learned to make lemonade out of lemons. As Emerson rightly said, “We seldom see anybody who is not uneasy and afraid to live.” By adopting the lessons in “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway”, you too can become one of those seldom found people.

Requirements:

boyfriend’s establishment, according to her close friends.

“Marivel was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend,” Courtney Roberts of Lake Mary, Florida, said online. “Anyone who knew Marivel loved her … she was a breath of fresh air with a smile that would light up any room.”

Estevez was laid to rest on Aug. 16, with a funeral Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral, not far from where she grew up, her body carted aboard a white horse-drawn hearse.

Own professional-grade camera

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Ability to interact with subjects and collaborate with our editorial team.

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following:

1. Resume: Highlighting your photography experience and relevant skills. Portfolio: A link to your online portfolio or social media 2.

Courtesy Courtney Roberts Marivel Estevez, 39, was found dead in her Mineola apartment on July 30, 2022.

MARk SMALL

Susan Jeffers — Part Two

News briefs

Elmont senior cooperative severely damaged in fire

1888 Foster Meadow Lane, a cooperative for senior citizens in Elmont sustained extensive damage after a fire fully engulfed the building just after midnight on Dec. 14, according to Nassau police.

The Elmont Fire Department was at the scene, along with multiple other fire departments to extinguish the blaze that ripped through the unoccupied building. The Nassau County Fire Marshal and the police Arson Bomb Squad were also at the scene. No one was hurt.

A flash forced the residents to evacuate on Sept. 29, 2023. Now, more than a year later, they remain displaced as the building’s condition continues to deteriorate.

The Town of Hempstead Building Department condemned the building after the Sept. 29 storm, effectively leaving the residents homeless.

The fire investigation is continuing, officials said.

Solages on red light camera fee ruling

In a news release, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages responded to the recent state appeals court ruling striking down Nassau County’s administrative fees on red light camera tickets.

Solages said in the news release, “The Nassau County red light camera program should have been focused on preventing accidents and promoting responsible driving. However, as the courts have found, it has become a cash grab for the county, charging motorists 200 percent of the $50 penalty as an additional ‘public safety’ and ‘driver responsibility’ fee.”

Solages continued, “This blatant misuse of the program has caused unnecessary strain on Nassau County residents who already face a high cost of living. Bad-faith tactics like this erode trust in government and hurt families financially. It is unacceptable that it took a court order for the county to stop these exploitative fees. Motorists deserve a break.”

–Renee

Incredibly Great Rates & Personalized Service!

–Jeffrey Bessen

DeLorenzo

Courtesy Carolina Malagone

A fire ripped through the vacant senior cooperative at 1888 Foster Meadow Lane in Elmont on Dec. 14.

Elmont Family Night, bigger and better

By REI WOLFSOHN Correspondent

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Elmont Cultural Center, and they will be hosting their annual Family Night at the Elmont Memorial Library on Monday, Dec. 23.

Events at Family Night will include stocking decorating, ornament painting, candy or cupcake decorating, a decked out hot chocolate bar, gift giving and musical chairs. There will be 100 free gifts for children to take home.

“The fun is just watching the kids have a good time,” said Mimi PierreJohnson, president of the Elmont Cultural Center. “I like the community choir that sings. Just to see the look on the kids’ faces when they come in. They don’t know what to expect.”

The Elmont Cultural Center Community Choir sings at Juneteenth and Family Night every year. The choir includes anyone who wants to come, of any age, from any town.

“It’s another way of bringing cultures and people together,” Pierre-Johnson said. “We don’t try to choose songs that’s specific to a religion or choir. We just want people bringing their voices together for that event.”

ing the financial need,” said Tamar Paoli Bailey, Pierre-Johnson’s daughter.

Multiple donors provide the gifts. The first year there was only one table of toys, and last year there were three tables. But, this year, there will be 100 or more toys.

They will also be giving out a gift exclusively for the parents. While they’re not sure if it will be a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables, or a gift certificate, they do know Whole Foods will be providing it.

“If it was up to me, if a spa wanted to give a discount for the parents, that would be great,” Pierre-Johnson said.

Family Night is all about connecting with the community. Last year, the cultural center team met a family of four who had just moved to New York and had nothing. They are still members of the cultural center today.

In addition, people from the community who are connected to the cultural center donated furniture, household linens and supplies, food, brand new clothes and coats to help families get through the winter.

New to the event this year will be accommodations for autistic children who join the festivities. This year they’re planning a special activity for them, which will be sensitive to their needs. There will also be a quiet space for those who are over-stimulated by the event.

“If they get a little stressed, they’ll have that quiet time,” Pierre-Johnson said. It takes a large amount of volunteers

to host Family Night. The core crew includes Pierre-Johnson, her daughter Paoli-Bailey, Nikki Long, Rebekkah Sievers, Claire Leon, Lucy Hyppolite, Judy Cataldo, Warren Wint and Greg Senat and his family, plus teens from the local Key Club and other volunteers.

“The hardest thing is, honestly, meet-

“We always hope that someone who comes to family night knows that there’s an organization that cares about the families; and maybe they need help and didn’t know that we existed,” PierreJohnson said. “That’s always a good thing too. We’re always ready to receive any new people in the community.”

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Rei Wolfsohn/Herald

The core crew of the Elmont Cultural Center, clockwise from top left, Greg Senat, Dominique Senat, Stan Johnson, Luc Mondesir, Aaron Johnson, Tamar Paoli-Bailey, Seja Gamble, Achely Augustin, Mimi Pierre-Johnson and Warren Wint.

The Great American Family Christmas

the way they’ve kind of made it very inclusive and immersive with the people,” Mario said.

He has starred in many Christmas movies since 2009, and this is the first time his wife, who had smaller parts in some of them, has been in a leading role.

“I love the genre,” Mario said. “I love that it’s all about family coming together and positivity.”

Courtney said that celebrating the movie in New York is sentimental for the couple, who have been married since 2012. “We met in New York about 16 years ago,” she said. “So any time we get to come back here, especially this time of year, it makes it extra special.”

Abbott said that presenting the festival on Long Island adds to its distinctive character. “We want something that’s a signature Long Island event,” he said. “This area is very underrated in terms of heart and overall feeling of community. Long Island is a very special place and a very intimate place, even though it’s very big and has tons of people.”

Robert Marino, a festival attendee from Elmont, said his entire family enjoyed the event, and it was like nothing he has experienced before.

“I can’t think of many events like this on Long Island,” Marino said. “But this is right by my house. It’s set with

this beautiful backdrop, so it’s hard to find all of that without getting run over by cars,” he laughed.

Two more festival-goers, Monique

Tyler and Vanessa Joseph, of Brooklyn, said they had no idea what to expect, but were ecstatic when they saw the Lopezes.

“Seeing Mario here with his wife is so far my favorite part,” Joseph laughed. Tyler agreed, and added how happy she was with the rest of the event as well. “I feel like it’s very unique,” she said. “I feel like I’m always struggling to find these kind of things.”

“It’s great that they made the effort to come out here and hang out,” Mario said. We’re getting positive reactions, so it makes it very special.”

Abbott said that he and his team had a great time putting the event together and watching visitors enjoy themselves.

“It makes us very happy to see our viewers, to see people from the area, to see them interact with talent,” he said. “We just want to make people happy in the area and have this as a tradition.”

Marino said he was surprised at how much he was enjoying the experience. “It set a high bar for us to come back,” he said. In the future, he said, he would love to see the New York Islanders, for whom the arena is home ice, make appearances as well.

Abbott said that the Great American Media team plans on improving the experience next year. Because this is its first year, he said, they are still working out the kinks. The plan for next year is for the festival to be bigger and better.

Tickets for the festival’s remaining session can be purchased at UBSArena.com.

Renee DeLorenzo/Herald guests gathered in the park’s courtyard, amid holiday decorations.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGES

Merry Christmas to the people of God

Last Christmas, we celebrated the 800th anniversary of that glorious and historic night when St. Francis of Assisi arranged the first Nativity creche scene in a small cave outside the Italian village of Greccio in Italy.

St. Francis was inspired to do this after visiting the historical place of Christ’s birth on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land - the humble stable in a Bethlehem cave.

The large creche set in St. Peter’s Square last year commemorated this 800th anniversary by having the figure of St. Francis of Assisi expressing adoration, awe and wonder across the Crib from Mary and Joseph.

Last September, we celebrated the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis receiving the gift of the “stigmata” - the mystical wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side. In 2026, we will celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death.

There is always a powerful connection between the Manger Crib and the Golgotha Cross of our Savior. St. Francis of Assisi lived this connection so powerfully.

In Admirabile Signum, Pope Francis writes: “Indeed, the place where this first nativity scene was enacted expresses and evokes these sentiments...from the time of its Franciscan origins, the nativity scene has invited us to ‘feel’ and ‘touch’ the poverty that God’s Son took upon himself in the Incarnation. Implicitly, it summons us to follow him along the path of humility, poverty and self-denial that leads from the manger of Bethlehem to the Cross. It asks us to meet him and serve him by showing merey to those of our brothers and sisters in great need (ef. Matthew 25:3146).” (3)

pray for religious liberty in our country and in all countries.

St. Francis of Assisi understood the problems of the world and more than 800 years later, after he created the first creche, he is still close to the Church and to the world.

ReveRend

John o. BaRRes

As we spiritually draw near to Bethlehem at the end of this year, we pray for those who suffer in the Holy Land and the Middle East, in Ukraine and all war-torn areas of the world.

We pray too for the persecuted Church around the world and we

Many of you have seen the bronze statue of Atlas directly across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. It was created by the sculptor Lee Lawrie and installed in 1937. The sculpture portrays the mythical ancient Greek Titan Atlas holding the burden of the heavens on his shoulder.

St. Francis of Assisi is no myth, but at times he has been compared with Atlas in how, through the centuries, he carried the burdens of the Church on his shoulders with his radical and pure Gospel witness.

In fact, Pope Innocent III, after meeting St. Francis, had a dream that St. Francis was holding up St.

John Lateran Basilica, the visible sign and symbol of the universal Church, amidst the storms and earthquakes of history and crisis. Configured to Christ crucified and having lived daily with the stigmatic wounds of Christ, St. Francis helps to animate and inspire the mission of mercy of the Catholic Church through the centuries.

St. Francis of Assisi intercedes for each of us at every moment to help rebuild the Biblical and Eucharistic evangelizing mission of the Church that Jesus, himself, founded on Long Island and beyond.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families! May the Light and Love of the Christ Child animate and guide our global Catholic Missionary Spirit this Christmas and throughout the New Year.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend John O. Barres Bishop of Rockville Centre

The Most Reverend John O. Barres is the Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

A Christmas message from Pastor Carl Lubin

Fun Christmas facts: Jingle Bells was written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. The song was written in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont and published under the title “One Horse Open Sleigh”. Two weeks before Christmas is the one of the most popular times for couples to break up according to data analyzed from Facebook posts and statuses. The basis for the popular Santa Claus is a Christian bishop who provided for the poor and sick, who later came to be called St. Nicholas. Church history buffs remember him for a feisty interaction at the Council of Nicea. Those facts really don’t matter much to us, so I want focus on some truly important facts about Christ’s birth- facts that are biblical and have great meaning for us today. First, it was a Prophesied Birth. The Old Testament predicts a coming Messiah, an anointed

one of God who will come to usher in an era where all people of earth will live together in harmony and righteousness. This idea is implied in the story of Creation. God wanted us to live with Him in a paradise, so He created the Garden of Eden. Human sin changed everything resulting in a world filled with evil and suffering. The arrival of Jesus marked God’s plans to heal and restore. Christmas is about God making wrong things right and bringing hope. Maybe we each personally should take the time to make things right with God and with each other.

The second fact of Christmas is that it was a Miraculous Birth.

Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son…” Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” These verses teach the miracle that God decided one day to enter our human world as one of us God became a man. Jesus’ birth was no ordinary birth. Our God loved us enough that when He saw the course of history filled with greed, violence, and oppression, He quite literally wrote Himself into our story to save us. Thirdly, this was a birth pointing to sacrifice. Christians understand the Christmas has a direct link to Easter. The manger must give way to the cross. The empha-

sis in the New Testament is the death of Christ. Way back when the baby Jesus was only eight days old, Simeon came by the Holy Spirit into the temple, and said to Mary, “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also” (Luke 2:35). The Christmas story is the beginning of the Gospel the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This is the good news, the glad tidings that the angels, shepherds, and wise men made a big deal about. Someone once said, “The greatest gift wasn’t placed under a tree, but was hung on a tree.” Christmas ought to make us consider sacrifice. God’s sacrifice for us ours for God, and for each other. May God bless our families and friends during this amazing Christmas season, and give us a happy New Year!

Carl Lubin is the pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Elmont.

Pasto

Residents fed up with red light ticket fees

been spent.

“I would love to know what they are doing with the money,” she said. “When it comes to Elmont, we don’t have safe places for our children to go, or spaces we can socialize to build community. So, what is there for the county to do besides just take our money? It doesn’t benefit me, my family, my friends, nobody.”

Seth Koslow, a legislator for Nassau County, expressed the same concern as Jeanlouis during the Dec. 9 conference.

“Where has the money gone?” Koslow asked. “We still see potholes everywhere; we still have traffic issues. Why is it not benefitting the county?”

In response, the Democratic caucus proposed a bill called the Fair Fees Accountability Act, which included three sections to address these concerns repealing illegal fees, refunding drivers, and ensuring transparency.

Jeanlouis wants to know why redlight cameras are set up at certain locations. She questioned whether or not these locations made sense and truly increased traffic safety, or if it was about maximizing profit.

“Somebody purposely goes around and looks at these locations,” she said. “And then they say, ‘Okay, this is the best place to put it because people won’t be able to fight it.’”

Garrick raised concerns about cam-

eras placed at lights that allow residents to turn right on red, which is where she received her tickets. “It wasn’t me just blowing through a red light,” she said.

Both Jeanlouis and Garrick said drivers in Elmont are accustomed to making right turns on red, and they believe the reason the cameras are placed at those lights is because no one expects the cameras to go off at that point.

In addition, Jeanlouis said fighting a

red-light ticket is not a convenient process for those who work. She said the date and time she was given was during regular working hours, and she could not take time off work just for the possibility the court couldn’t get to her case that day.

Garrick said at the time she received her tickets, she was still working and could not find the time to fight the ticket, either.

“I really did not have time to pursue

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something like that,” she said. “Especially since there’s no guarantee you’re going to get a break from them anyway. So then, you’ve lost a day and you’re still paying a fine.”

Jeanlouis said if residents are not making a certain salary, or if they don’t have paid time off, it’s not realistic for them to show up and fight the tickets. She said she would like the county to accommodate people who work by offering dates and times after regular working hours.

“If it’s something where we’re advocating for our rights, they should have more hours after a certain time,” she said.

Garrick said she sees the county fighting to have these excess funds returned to drivers, but she isn’t sure if that’s an expectation or just a hope of hers at this point. “It would be very nice to get a check for several hundred dollars,” she said. “But beyond that, I don’t know.”

Jeanlouis said she’s seen speculation on social media that some county politicians are looking into whether or not they can reimburse drivers, as well.

“I would love to be first on the list to get a reimbursement,” she said. “The little bit that we get in our paychecks as salary, especially when we’re not even getting proper raises, for the county to just go out and take it, it makes no sense.”

Courtesy Nassau County Democratic Caucus nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow proposed the fair fees accountability act, along with fellow democrats on dec. 9.

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We want to hear about the extraordinary young individuals who are driving change in their communities.

Submit a nomination of approximately 200 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability:

The award will be presented at the 2025 LI Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld in February.

Your nomination could inspire countless others to follow in their footsteps!

What motivates them? What impact have they had?

Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.

STEPPING OUT

Merry eatings

‘Tis the season for a

By Karen Bloom

ost of us would agree that there’s almost nothing better than the aroma of fresh-baked goodies wafting through the house. Especially during holiday time. Nothing says “love” like fresh baked cookies and treats. So give the gift of homemade goodness, whether it’s a gift platter or by hosting family and friends for a cookie exchange. Everyone can get in on the act and share their creations all around.

Your gang will enjoy tasting these luscious creations in your makeshift holiday workshop.

Chocolate Mint Squares

Notes of crisp peppermint perfectly complement the ﬂavors of coffee in this festive alternative to a brownie. Add some crushed peppermint to each cookie to create a beautiful and seasonal presentation.

Dough

• 1/3 cup baking chocolate or unsweetened chocolate

• 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose ﬂour

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chopped pecans, optional

• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract or peppermint oil

Frosting

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar or glazing sugar

• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) melted butter

• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract or peppermint oil

• 2 tablespoons milk

Glaze

• 3 tablespoons baking chocolate or unsweetened chocolate

• 1 tablespoon butter

Garnish

• 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9” x 9” pan.

To make the dough: In a double boiler, or in a microwave, melt together the chocolate and butter. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, salt and eggs.

Add the chocolate mixture, stirring to combine, then the ﬂour, nuts and peppermint, mixing until well-blended.

Pour the batter into the pan. Bake the squares for 25 minutes. Remove them from the oven, and

‘Holiday Joy’

cool to room temperature. Remove them from the oven, and cool to room temperature. While cooling make the frosting and glaze.

To make the frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, melted butter or margarine, peppermint and milk. Spread the frosting over the cooled squares in a thin layer.

To make the glaze: In a double boiler, or in a microwave, melt together the chocolate and butter or margarine. Drizzle this over the frosted squares, and sprinkle with the crushed peppermint candy. Refrigerate the squares until they’re well-chilled. To serve, cut into 1 1/2” squares.

Dreidel Hanukkah Cookies

You can’t spin these dreidels, but you sure can gobble them up. The versatile dough that can be customized to create chocolate or colored cookies.

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose ﬂour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• Dreidel-shaped cookie cutter

• Piping bag

• Blue frosting

Cookie dough

In a medium-size bowl, mix the ﬂour and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, stir in the egg, then the corn syrup and vanilla extract. One third at a time, add the ﬂour mixture until thoroughly mixed.

Pat the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, or until ﬁrm enough to roll. If it is too ﬁrm, soften at room temperature for 5 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Roll one disk of dough between two pieces of waxed paper or

plastic wrap, 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top sheet and cut out the cookies with cookie cutters.

Using a metal spatula, transfer the shapes to baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies start to brown lightly around the edges. Remove the baking sheet to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes.

Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to racks and cool completely before frosting and decorating. Makes 12 to 50 cookies, depending on their size.

For chocolate dough: After the last third of ﬂour has been added to the dough, mix in 1 ounce melted, slightly cooled unsweetened chocolate. Use your hands to knead in the chocolate.

For colored dough: Divide the dough into portions and use a toothpick to add food coloring paste (available at party supply stores) to each one. Knead until the color is evenly distributed. For a ﬂavor surprise, omit the vanilla extract and add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract to the yellow dough, mint extract to the green dough, and strawberry extract to the red dough.

How to prepare

Cut out the dreidels from the rolled-out dough and bake as directed (if you cant ﬁnd a dreidel cookie cutter, make a pattern out of lightweight cardboard). When cooled, pipe one of the four classic dreidel symbols on each cookie (either gimel, shin, nun, or hay) with blue frosting.

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp. vanilla

• 1-1/2 cups ﬂour

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 44 candy-coated chocolate pieces

• 88 semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

• 44 pretzels, broken into 1-inch pieces

Heat oven to 350° F.

Beat peanut butter, butter and sugars in large bowl with mixer until light and ﬂuffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until blended. Add combined ﬂour and baking soda; mix well.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets. Bake 7 to 9 min. or until cookies are just set.

Place 1 chocolate piece immediately in center of each cookie for a nose (press down slightly if cookies aren’t ﬂat enough), 2 chocolate chips for eyes, and 2 pretzel pieces at top of cookie for antlers. Carefully remove cookies to wire rack; cool completely.

Beloved holiday tunes are combined with a musical cabaret in a joyous over-the-top spectacle that is the Madison Theatre’s holiday celebration. The cast of 48 performers enthusiastically share all the delights of the season in this show, now in its 11th year, created by Artistic Director Angelo Fraboni. The vibrant cast includes Broadway performers. and Molloy University’s pre-professional CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory students “Holiday Joy” invites everyone to take a journey through the many worlds of the holidays — through song and dance — in the fast- paced spectacle. Timeless songs such as “We Need A Little Christmas” are brought to life in joyful arrangements, accompanied by a live band.

Friday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. ; Saturday, Dec. 21, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 22, 3 p.m. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or madisontheatreny. org.

Yellow Brick Joel

Relive the classic songs that deﬁne generations. David Clark performs as Billy Joel along with Bill Connors as Elton John in this thoroughly entertaining and faithful tribute to the Face To Face/Face 2 Face tours of the 1990s and 2000s. Experience a spirited concert celebrating the two greatest ‘Piano Men’ of our generation with hits like “I’m Still Standing,” “Rocket Man,” “Piano Man” and “You May Be Right” along with some deeper fan performances like “Honky Cat,” “Funeral For A Friend,” “Miami 2017,” and “Captain Jack.” A tribute to two of the greatest piano players and performers of all time couldn’t be set up any other way! Groove along to the vibe at this one-of-a-kind performance where these two talents go head-tohead as Elton John and Billy Joel delivering unforgettable music and showmanship.

Friday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $28. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com.

Chocolate Mint Squares Dreidel Hanukkah Cookies Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

THE Your Neighborhood

Jan. 3

‘Cold Beer on a Friday Night’

Keep those winter doldrums at bay with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. It may seem like we’ve got much too long to wait ‘til we’re back on the beach, but Jimmy Kenny and his band come to the rescue, on the Paramount stage, Friday, Jan. 3 , 8 p.m. Join in their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along. The Long Island-based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios, lead guitar/backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione — has been celebrating the beach country sounds of Buffett, Chesney and Zac Brown Band for over a decade, spreading their vibe up and down the Northeast coast. Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair. If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer on a Friday night, then you’ll surely have a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band. $35, $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Countdown to 12

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes back its popular “Noon” Year’s Eve family party, Sunday, dec. 31, noon-4 p.m. This year’s event will be making an intergalactic leap with activities starting at 11 a.m., the addition of a third ball drop, plus space-themed crafts, entertainment and a confetti-filled dance party. The day’s celebration starts and ends with Times Square-style ball drops (noon, 2 and 4 p.m.). In between the opening and closing ball drops, families will make themed crafts and enjoy the DJ-led dance party. All activities are drop-in and run through 3:45 p.m. $20 adults and children, $18 seniors, members free. Advance ticket purchase recommended. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm. org.

Are you game?

Bring some friends and make some new ones during game night at Elmont Memorial Library, Wednesdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. There are tons of games to choose from! No registration required. First-come-first-seated. Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. For more information, visit elmontlibrary. org or call (516) 354-5280.

Breakfast with Santa at the Plattduetsche

Experience a magical breakfast alongside Santa, Sunday, dec. 22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Plattduetsche Park. Share your holiday wishes, capture a memorable photo, and enjoy festive fun! The event includes a buffet breakfast, a photo with Santa, live character entertainment, face painting, and a holiday treat. Be sure to get your tickets early because this event sells out quickly. $55 adults, $34 ages 2-12. Kids under two get in for free. Tickets must be purchased in advance either online at ParkRestaurant.com or at Plattduetsche Park with cash only. 1132 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square.

Community Game Night

Looking to make some friends and play board games? Visit Franklin Square Public Library, the third Wednesday of every month, at 6 p.m., to socialize and have fun at this free program. Light refreshments will be served. No registration is required. 19 Lincoln Road. For more information, visit franklinsquarepl.org or call (516) 488-3444.

Bird walk

See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for the next in its series of bird walks, at Hempstead Lake State Park, Saturday, Dec. 21, starting at 9 a.m. The group will meet in parking lot #3. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. Rain, snow or temperature below 25 degrees will cancel the bird walk. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit ssaudubon.org.

Holiday Lights with the Zuckermans

Elmont Memorial Library invites all experience the holiday season with a special presentation, Friday, Dec. 20, 12:30 p.m. Enjoy a look at famed Christmas store windows, learn about Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. It involves anecdotes, holiday music, and video clips of some of the most memorable holiday movies. No registration is required. First-come, firstseated. 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. For more information, visit elmontlibrary. org or call (516) 354-5280.

Christmas Santa Run 2024

Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department brings Santa around to the community, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Santa stops at Washington Street School, 2:30 p.m.; Polk Street School, 3 p.m.; John Street School, 5:30 p.m. Those who wish to see Santa and get a picture, they must be at one of those schools at the designated times. Any emergency calls that day or evening will affect these times.

Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

Trotters Bar and Grill invites all to their annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party, Saturday, Dec. 21, 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Enjoy an amazing night of food, friends and music. Sing and dance to all your favorite songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. With a prize for the best ugly sweater. Bring a friend, there’s always room for more. 1050 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square. Visit trottersbarandgrill for more information.

Having an event?

Holiday concert

Celebrate the season with the Symphonic Pops of Long Island, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m. The intergenerational orchestra of 60 L.I.-based musicians performs with the Willow Interfaith Women’s Choir as special guests. The program, at Brookside School in North Merrick, includes “Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “Christmas Sing-A-Long,” “Greensleeves,” “Chanukah Festival Overture,” and much more. Suggested donation of $10 is requested at the door (kids are free). 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York. Visit symphonicpopsli.org for more.

Play canasta

Join in a friendly game of canasta, Fridays, 1-4 p.m., at Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road. For more information, visit franklinsquarepl.org or call (516) 488-3444.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.

It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday, Dec. 20, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, Dec. 21, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 26, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 27, 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m.; 6: 15 p.m.; also Dec. 28-30. Ezra Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day & Other Stories” celebrates the joy in the small moments of a child’s world. Experience the wonder of a fresh snowfall, the delight of whistling for the first time, and the awe of finding a special treasure. In this childhood adventure, Keats’ classic books come to life, featuring live actors and shadow puppets telling the stories of “The Snowy Day,” “Goggles!,” “Whistle for Willie,” and “A Letter to Amy.” $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.

Sam's Caribbean Marketplace

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

INDEX NO.: 609430/2024

DATE FILED: 5/30/2024

SUMMONS

FNA DZ, LLC, Plaintiff, -againstARTHUR BEZMAN and STEVEN BEZMAN, if they be living, if they be dead, their respective heirs-atlaw, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through ARTHUR BEZMAN and STEVEN BEZMAN, if they be dead, whether by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, including any right, title or interest in and to the real property described in the complaint herein, all of who and whose names and places or residence are unknown to the plaintiff, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; NEW YORK STATE

DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12”, the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with the summons, to serve notice of appearance, on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the date of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York), and in case of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Jeffrey A. Goodstein, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, entered Nov. 20, 2024 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office.

THE OBJECT OF THE ACTION is to foreclose a tax lien and to recover the amount of the tax lien

and all of the interest, penalties, additions and expenses thereon to premises k/a Section 32, Block 425, Lot 125.

Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the subject property.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the tax lien holder who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to the tax lien holder will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: May 29, 2024 LEVY & LEVY

Attorneys for Plaintiff 12 Tulip Drive Great Neck, NY 11021 (516) 487-6655 BY: JOSHUA LEVY, ESQ. #101958 150169

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VERUS SECURITIZATION TRUST 2021-R1, Plaintiff, vs. JUAN APUPARO, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 31, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM, premises known as 108 OAKLEY AVENUE, ELMONT, NY 11003. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 32, Block: 559, Lots: 24, 25, 26. Approximate amount of judgment is $247,179.55 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 602288/2023. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee.

MARIA SIDERIS, Esq., Referee

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY.

NAME: 3rd Law , LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 12/13/2019. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 31 Covert Avenue Unit #5006 Floral Park, NY 11001Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity 150172

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of formation of Rose Lady LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the State of New York SSNY on August 14th 2024. Office located in Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 258 Kirkman Avenue. Elmont N.Y. 11003. Purpose: any lawful purpose 150130

Approximate amount of judgment is $184,387.44 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #613100/2021.

Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 191150-3 150274

News brief

Elmont adopts new senior tax exemption

The Elmont school board voted to adopt a new senior tax exemption resolution during the board of education meeting at Clara H. Carlson School on the evening of Dec. 10.

The resolution increases tax exemption income qualifications for senior citizens residing in owner occupied residencies from $29,000 to $50,000, with a sliding scale thereafter up to $58,399.

According to Thomas Galante, the school’s business advisor, this resolu -

tion increases the number of seniors who qualify for the exemption from 242 seniors to 308. Galante said this will result in a $22 average increase in taxes for each non-exempt taxpayer per year.

The Elmont school district’s website says taxpayers must request approval for the exemption from the Nassau County Assessor’s Office.

For additional details about the senior tax exemption, visit ElmontSchools.org.

Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 150292

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, vs. JENNY A. EBERT, AS ADMINISTRATOR TO THE ESTATE OF RICHARD EBERT, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 24, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 7, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 23 Franklin Street, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 32, Block 474 and Lots 17 & 18.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2019-HB1, Plaintiff, AGAINST ALLISON COTRONEO, AS HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF VINCENT COTRONEO, if she be living and if she be dead, the respective heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant(s) who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the Complaint, et al. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on September 30, 2024.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM premises known as 44 Catherine Avenue, Franklin Square, NY 11010. Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 35, Block 38 and Lot 44, 45. Approximate amount of judgment $467,460.74 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #002264/2016.

Public Notices

William R. Boccio, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 150408

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND NOTICE - SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU - FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC, Plaintiff, -against- ROSE K. KITZMILLER, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; ROBERT A. HOTZ, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; CHRYSTAL BETTERLY, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; VERONICA HOTZ, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; CAROL SCOTT, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; NICHOLAS HOTZ, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; DANIEL HOTZ, AS POTENITAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOAN HOTZ VITA ; ELIZABETH BOYES, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; ANY AND ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE ; NEW

YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE ; P.T.R.C., INC., DBA HOME TAX SAVER ; HMS, INC., Defendants - Index No.: 601104/2024

Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Nassau County. To the above named Defendants-YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated October 11, 2024.

NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME - If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (FINANCE

OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Jeffrey A. Goodstein, A.J.S.C. Dated: October 11, 2024 Filed: October 29, 2024. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 34 McKee Street, Floral Park, NY 11001. Dated: November 26, 2024 Filed: November 26, 2024 Greenspoon Marder LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Angelo A. Regina, Esq., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105 P: (212) 524-5000 F: (212) 524-5050 No Service by fax) Service purposes only: Trade Centre South 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 P: (888) 491-1120 F: (954) 343-6982 150435

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, 999 HEMPSTEAD LENDER LLC, Plaintiff, vs. 999 HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 1, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 14, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 993-1007 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square, NY 11010. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 4 and Lots 1-7 and 28-34. Approximate amount of judgment is

$5,331,601.33 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600185/2023. Peter H. Levy, Esq., Referee Vallely Law PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 150429

To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, on the 11th day of December, 2024, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal law. An extract of the resolution is as follows: THE ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT SHALL PURCHASE A NEW SEAGRAVE PUMPER FIRE APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AT A COST, INCLUDING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH TRANSACTION, NOT TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM COST OF ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($1,500,000.00) DOLLARS WITH FUNDS FROM THE FIRE APPARATUS CAPITAL RESERVE FUND. This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days, unless in the meanwhile a permissive referendum as provided by the General Municipal Law is required to be held.

Dated: December 11, 2024 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD ATTEST: FRANCES ANDINO Secretary 150552

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CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

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Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department.

Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

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Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

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EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES: Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.

REQUIREMENTS: Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.

POSITION DETAILS: Flexible: Part-time or Full-time. Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.

Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

to careers@liherald.com

HomesHERALD

A Dream Home

Making an old home newer

Q. We looked at a home to buy, and saw that the stairs from the first to the second floor were leaning. We keep seeing this in homes that we’re interested in. Even though we will get a home inspection, can you tell us, more specifically, what causes this, and whether it’s a reason not to be interested in any particular house?

A. Leaning stairs are usually improperly supported. Because stairs go through an opening between floors, their weight must be supported all around the opening. Unfortunately, this leaning and sagging condition is not uncommon, especially in older homes that were built before there were building codes and official building inspections by trained individuals who had to sign off on the way a home was framed. Many homes were framed by carpenters who had knowledge of materials and how to join them to create beautiful homes, without necessarily being formally educated in the engineering, science and math required to predict, and thereby avoid, failure.

To the trained professional, the stair condition you describe is considered a failure, because the weight of the stairs and the surrounding structure were not resolved to keep everything aligned. The leaning staircase was predictable, but not avoided. In some modern cases, when inspectors aren’t called before the framing is covered in finishes such as wallboard or woodwork, an official inspection isn’t done, and many inspectors will rely on a letter from a licensed architect or engineer. You should be made aware that this practice of asking for letters may not be of much assurance, because not seeing the conditions and still writing a letter can be a problem. Letters don’t hold up buildings, but the shifting of the task is meant to shift responsibility, and unless the licensed professional really examines the conditions fully, you may just go through a shifting of blame similar to the shifting stairs.

The remedy is to lift the stairs into position while remediating the structure. In some cases, a column at the lowest level was required and not installed; in others, the horizontal floor joists surrounding the stairwell weren’t the right size; and in other cases, the stair may have been framed and attached to the surrounding structure incorrectly. Many people never consider the impact of an adult transferring their weight, with gravity, to the next step, literally falling a step at a time, multiplying their mass plus gravity.

In one instance I investigated, an air conditioning installer “needed” to cut through the main beam just below the stair landing so that only the air duct was holding the stairs’ weight, which, by the time I arrived, had dropped 4 inches. The air duct was redirected and the beam had to be replaced, which turned out to be an involved procedure. If the house has plaster walls, the repair is more expensive and, in either case, the added framing may be costly. It might be a reason to keep looking. Good luck!

Stuff HERALD

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opinions

Like many other devotees, I’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods’ dearly

Atelevision era has ended. Last Friday night’s “Blue Bloods” episode was the last. It has been canceled by CBS despite having consistently high ratings and, in my opinion, having been the best show on television during its 14-season run on the network. I don’t profess to be a media critic, but I am a lifelong New Yorker who appreciated the firstclass acting of a cast led by Tom Selleck, and the show’s proud espousal of support for the police and its advocacy of traditional family values.

“Blue Bloods” focuses on four generations of the Reagan family in New York law enforcement — the “Reagan family business.” Frank Reagan, played by Selleck, is the NYPD commissioner. His father, Henry, is a former commissioner. His sons, Danny, a detective, and Jamie,

a sergeant, as well as Jamie’s wife, Janko, are all NYPD, and his daughter, Erin, is a prosecutor in the district attorney’s office. An older son, Joe, was killed in the line of duty. His son, Joe Hill, previously unknown to the family, recently appeared on the NYPD scene using his mother’s last name.

Besides the expected emphasis on crime solving, “Blue Bloods” shows the realities of cops’ lives and the impact that those often harsh realities have on their families’ day-to-day lives. Unlike almost every other crime drama series, “Blue Bloods” never succumbed to political or corporate pressure to portray cops in a negative light, even at the height (or the depth) of the Defund the Police movement, which was all the rage in 2020.

consequences, including being secondguessed by critics who have never had to confront professional killers, violent drug dealers or crazed madmen.

W as it canceled for resisting corporate pressure to be more ‘woke’?

Not that it shows cops to be perfect. Just human — people who are willing to put their lives on the line for all the rest of us. People who have to make lifechanging decisions and live with the

iAs a recent Newsday story pointed out, “Blue Bloods” has a particularly strong following on Long Island, where many police officers and their families and friends live, as well as the many thousands of commuters who regularly travel to the city for work or entertainment.

I admit to having a bias. My father was a member of the NYPD for more than three decades before he retired as a lieutenant. I also have friends who have been officers in the NYPD as well as the Nassau and Suffolk County police departments. It was most impactful to be able to closely observe police work during my 18 years on the House Homeland Security Committee.

I had the chance to meet the “Blue Bloods” cast during several visits to their studio in Brooklyn, where they filmed the Sunday-family-dinner scenes,

and other shooting locations on Long Island. All are outstanding people, especially Selleck; Donnie Wahlberg, who played Danny; and Will Estes, who played Jamie. So, too, is Steve Schirripa (Anthony Abetemarco), whom I’d met before, a great guy who’s as genuine as the investigator he plays on the show.

Believe me, I’m not a star-struck guy. Being in public life, I’ve met a number of famous people and celebrities who are jerks. The “Blue Bloods” guys are the real deal.

The unanswered question is why CBS canceled a show that had consistently positive ratings for so many seasons and such a loyal, supportive fan base. Was it because “Blue Bloods” resisted corporate pressure to be more progressive and ‘woke’? Were its traditional values, exemplified by support for the police, the family dinner and strong patriotism, too out of touch for some of its advertisers? No matter. “Blue Bloods” fans will always have the memories.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

At least Governor Hochul got the message

n case you’re still counting, Election Day happened six weeks ago, and all of the post-mortems on both sides reached the same conclusion: The No. 1 issue for voters was the economy, and the Democrats failed to pay attention to that issue, even though James Carville has been telling his party that “It’s the economy, stupid,” since 1992.

As we approach a new year, nothing has changed. The voters voted their pocketbooks, and they will judge all national and state politicians by what they do to ease people’s financial tensions. Incoming President Donald Trump says he hasn’t forgotten about his promise to cut the price of basic necessities, and his legacy will be judged by the promises he will keep.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, meanwhile, has gotten the message, and will propose a 2025 budget that will be loaded with pro-

grams to help wage earners on many levels. Her first salvo into the coming year is an interesting one. She wants to give every family that makes less than $300,000 a check from the state for $500, and individuals who make less than $150,000 a onetime payment of $300.

Fiscal conservatives and budget hawks jumped on the plan with all kinds of criticism, but it will take more than a few barbs to kill Hochul’s one-shot anti-inflation proposal. Why is this plan being proposed, and where would the money come from?

when she announces her proposed budget in late January. Every one of the ideas in her plan will be aimed at saving people money.

s he’ll propose a 2025 budget loaded with programs to help wage earners.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the state collected a bonanza of tax revenue. Housebound voters purchased billions of dollars’ worth of necessities, and the state was the beneficiary. Those funds are sitting in some budget account, and if the governor doesn’t spend them first, the State Legislature surely will.

The rebate proposal is just one of many taxpayer benefits that Hochul will announce. There are numerous ways to reward consumers, and the governor can be the first one to offer them

Aside from the fact that Hochul is paying attention to the message of this year’s election, she is also keeping an eye on the political calendar. She will be seeking re-election in 2026, and now is as good a time as ever to make proposals that appeal to the average voter. The timing is important, because there are always a few ambitious Democrats who think they can do a better job, as well as some Republicans who are looking for promotions.

Even New York City Mayor Eric Adams has climbed on the tax-cutting bandwagon. He has proposed a modest cut for people on the lowest rung of the income ladder, but a check in the mail can be a much more potent gift for a voter in 2025.

Is a rebate check a new political idea? Some years back, when the state was running the Long Island Lighting Company, then Gov. George Pataki

approved a one-time payment for utility customers. It was an instant hit. Are there many ways to put money in voters’ wallets? From personal experience, I can think of a few. While serving as chair of the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee, I Iearned a lot about sales taxes. New York’s tax laws cover thousands of day-to-day household items. Some of those taxes could be eliminated, and consumers would know very quickly why their expenses went down. The flip side of sales tax cuts is that they cost the state money, but if there’s money in the cupboard, why not spend it?

In the weeks ahead, New York voters will be romanced with one proposal after another. The trick for the governor is to be the first one to come up new ideas that the Legislature will have a hard time rejecting. It’s time for the state to start giving back, even if that comes in small pieces.

Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

square/elmont

Established 1998

Incorporating the Franklin Square/Elmont Record

Renee DeLoRenzo

Reporter

RhonDa GLickman

Vice President - Sales

office

2 Endo Boulevard

Garden City, NY 11530

Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax: (516) 569-4942

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E-mail: fseditor@liherald.com

HERALD

iSuffolk C.C. is shortchanging journalism

n a decision that has left many Long Island journalists and educators dismayed, Suffolk County Community College has chosen to eliminate its journalism major.

The move, characterized as a cost-cutting measure in response to declining enrollment and the purportedly dim career prospects of students who study journalism, is not only shortsighted, but runs counter to the college’s mission of preparing students to transfer to fouryear institutions where they can follow their chosen paths to future success.

For years, SCCC has prided itself on serving as a launching pad for students aiming to continue their education at schools such as Adelphi, Hofstra and Stony Brook universities — institutions with thriving journalism and communications programs. Suffolk’s own commercials proclaim how proud the school is to propel two-year students to fouryear schools.

Journalism is not only a viable academic path at these schools; it is also a critical discipline that is nothing less than the backbone of a functioning democracy. By shuttering the journalism major, SCCC sends a troubling message about the value it places on media literacy, civic engagement and students’ preparation for essential careers in public service, accountability and compelling storytelling.

The college’s decision is proving to be a controversial one, given that it came despite opposition from SCCC’s own faculty. In three separate votes, educators overwhelmingly rejected the proposal to discontinue the program. Such strong opposition suggests that those closest to

letters

Those excessive red-light-camera fines

To the Editor:

the educational process, who teach, mentor and advise students, understand the importance of maintaining a journalism program, even at a time when there couldn’t be more challenges for the profession.

The executive dean ultimately overrode those votes, citing enrollment declines and data from the New York State Department of Labor projecting limited growth in journalism jobs.

Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, show a more robust industry despite the decline in the number and readership of newspapers. The SCCC decision fails to account for the evolving nature of journalism and its continued relevance in a mediasaturated world. The field is not disappearing; it is being transformed, and students deserve the opportunity to learn the skills needed to adapt to this new media landscape.

Content creation, social media management, podcasting, multimedia reporting and data journalism are just a few of the avenues now available to those with a foundation in journalism. Furthermore, the skills taught in a journalism program — writing, research, critical thinking and ethical reasoning — are transferable to a wide range of careers.

As it happens, the State University of New York has a system-wide community journalism program, the Institute for Local News, that provides students with real-world experience at local media outlets. Ironically, SCCC is the largest college by enrollment in the SUNY system. And we should note that its sister school, Nassau Community College, also offers journalism classes, but has no

If you haven’t heard, it seems a state appeals court has found that Nassau County has been adding illegal fees to red-light-camera tickets over the past 10 years — $100 on a $150 ticket. Ouch. I know — just like you, I’m shocked. Shocked, I tell ya. OK, not really.

But here’s the thing: Some of our dear legislators don’t wanna give back the money that was taken from us! Yeah, another shock.

I guess we’ll just see how that little bit of business plays out, but there is one more thing I’d like to bring up again. One of the biggest complaints about the redlight cams is the rear-end collisions they cause. Not being one to complain without offering a solution, I’d like to re-introduce my simple solution that would solve the problem immediately. Simple countdown clocks! There is absolutely no excuse why there shouldn’t be one hanging from every traffic light at a

journalism major.

The Herald Community Newspapers have for years invited journalism students from colleges across Long Island to work as interns, and the company is currently in partnership with Hofstra on a program in which students will join forces with Herald journalists on a series of stories, as well as with Stony Brook’s Working Newsroom, in which students will pitch and write stories. All of the stories will be published in the Heralds.

SCCC is targeting other programs and majors that fail to meet certain enrollment and job market criteria, and those decisions signal a troubling trend of prioritizing short-term metrics over longterm educational value. While budget constraints are an undeniable reality for most institutions, their decisions about academic programs should be guided by more than just numbers. They should reflect a commitment to the colleges’ missions and to the needs of their students.

If SCCC is truly committed to preparing students for transfer and future success, it must reconsider the elimination of its journalism major. A flourishing journalism program would not only support the college’s academic reputation, but also affirm its dedication to producing graduates who are informed, articulate and passionate about engaging with the world.

Bottom-line-focused decisions may balance budgets in the moment, but they risk undermining the broader purpose of education: to prepare students not only for jobs but also for meaningful, informed lives.

We can reform school funding without harming schools

the needs of our public schools, teachers, students and parents are constantly evolving. Yet despite these changes, New York state continues to rely on an outdated funding formula based on old data.

This month, the Rockefeller Institute of Government released a comprehensive report analyzing the state’s intricate foundation aid formula, the mechanism that allocates operating aid to school districts across the state. Its recommendations demand our collective attention — not just mine, as a policymaker, but also yours, as educators, parents and taxpayers. Together we can advocate for a fairer, more effective funding system that meets the needs of today’s students.

New York’s foundation aid formula, devised in 2007, was designed to create a fair and predictable school funding system. In the 17 years since, however, the formula has remained unchanged, relying on outdated data, such as population figures from the 2000 census and antiquated measures of poverty and student

needs. For Long Island, where property taxes are among the nation’s highest, this outdated system places an unfair burden on local taxpayers. Despite the fact that we host some of the state’s topperforming schools, the current formula fails to properly account for rising costs or the growing demand for mental health and special-education services.

oGov. Kathy Hochul’s approach to addressing the outdated foundation aid formula during this year’s budget negotiations more than missed the mark. Her proposal to eliminate the “hold harmless” provision — which ensures that school districts do not receive less foundation aid than they have in previous years — may have made headlines, but it failed to tackle the core issue: The formula itself is fundamentally flawed. The governor didn’t take into account increased costs, and the reality that many expenses remain fixed, even as student enrollment fluctuates. The widespread unpopularity of Hochul’s proposed cuts, including opposition within her own party, ultimately led to the decision to commission the Rockefeller Institute to review the formula and provide recommendations in a report.

The report offers the following recommendations to modernize the foundation aid formula:

■ Phase out 50 percent of “hold harmless” over five years as Foundation Aid formula reforms are made.

n Long Island, an outdated aid formula unfairly burdens local taxpayers.

■ Allow districts to increase their unrestricted year-end fund balance to 10 percent.

■ Replace the current outof-date poverty measures with new sources of community and family-level wealth metrics.

■ Provide aid for English Language Learner students based on their level of need.

■ Update the Regional Cost Index so it provides a more localized measurement of labor market conditions.

■ Update measurements of the wealth capacity of school districts to better align their expected local share of school funding with current local economic conditions.

■ Eliminate the minimum $500-perpupil foundation aid allocation for the wealthiest districts, and reallocate the $41 million that would be saved through this measure.

■ Remove funding for students with

disabilities from the foundation aid formula, and consolidate all funding for those students under existing categorical aid structures.

While these recommendations warrant further analysis to assess the impact they would have on Long Island school districts, any changes to the foundation aid formula included in next year’s budget must be phased in gradually to prevent sudden disruptions in funding. Equally important, the process must be transparent, enabling school districts to plan effectively and adapt to adjustments.

The five public hearings held across the state during the research phase of the institute’s report underscored a consistent message from advocates and administrators: School districts and communities desperately need reliable and predictable funding streams from the state.

Education is one of the most critical investments in our future, and the way we fund it reflects our values and priorities as a state. Reforming the foundation aid formula is no small task, but it’s one we can no longer afford to delay. For Long Island families, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and we need to ensure that our schools are equipped to meet the needs of every student.

Ed Ra represents the 19th Assembly District.

red-light-cam intersection. Problem solved. You’re welcome.

FRED GEFEN Woodmere

More local memories of Jimmy Breslin

To the Editor:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Peter King’s column “Remembering Jimmy Breslin, a legend in New York journalism” (Dec. 5-11). It brought back so many memories. Breslin used to call my late husband, Marvin Bernstein, every Sunday night for the news about the Nassau County Supreme Court. Marvin was the public information officer at the courthouse, and Jimmy kept him busy! Thanks for the column, Mr. King!

SANDY BERNSTEIN East Meadow

The Sands proposal: ‘right location, wrong project’

To the Editor:

Las Vegas Sands’ proposal for an

integrated casino-resort in the Nassau County Hub a very bad idea. Right location, wrong project! Are the risks to our suburban lifestyle and environment worth the grossly exaggerated benefits projected? There were so many assumptions in the draft environment impact statement, and so much information omitted.

I am strongly opposed to the proposed project at the Hub. There are better alternatives that would benefit all Nassau County residents, but the people we rely on to protect our interests and preserve our suburban way of life are looking for a quick fix. They will bankrupt your future in more ways than you could imagine.

Hard Rock’s application to develop Citi Field has been approved by local community boards. Much better location, very accessible public transportation and a much better independent operator than Sands. That “Metropolitan Park,” if built, would compete with Sands and other downstate casinos for the same pool of gamblers and people seeking entertainment options. Somebody’s going to lose, and it will be the residents of Nassau County.

ANTHoNY BRANCATo East Meadow